Top 10 Glam Metal Bands of All Time

Call it what you will, Glam Metal, Hair Metal, Cock Rock or plain old '80s metal, there is something to be said for an entire subculture that extended from the late '70s and into the early '90s that still has the power to influence art, music and culture today, as a force that refuses to wash off its makeup and die.

Although admittedly, Glam Metal is an acquired taste, the lasting legacy of certain bands cannot be denied. Music fans today both young and old, share a longing for a time when spandex, Kabuki-style fashion, aqua net, fire, monster ballads, glitter and guitars were mandatory for any rock or metal show. Of course, the lifestyle for many bands, and groupies included the cliché diet of sex, drugs and rock-n-roll.

This list, although conforming to the obvious choices for the top bands of the era, tried to go outside of the box with several picks, to encompass bands that might not otherwise be considered Glam or even Hair Metal, but were for whatever reason lumped into the scene. This is NOT done as a pejorative, to the contrary, some of these bands transcended the musical boundaries of shock rock, prog rock, power metal and even proto speed metal.

With that said, whether you're old enough to be Dee Snider's wife or young enough to be his daughter, bust out the hairspray, leather vest, and your tight pants and get ready to rock like it was 1985, again. Enjoy the Top Ten Glam Metal bands of All Time.

10.LA GUNS
LA Guns came onto the scene in the mid '80s, but by the time the band's second release, Cocked and Loaded in 1989, the band had defined 'cock rock' with their glammed-out biker style looks, a foundation in classic/hard rock, with a harder edge that many fans adored. Formed in 1983 by guitarist Traci Guns, the band had many early line up changes, including at one point singer Axl Rose. But six years later, the band hit a note with hordes of fans, with their hit "The Ballad of Jayne," which turned the group into a huge success. With more than over dozen albums, and tours with AC/DC, Def Leppard, and Iron Maiden, the current, active version of LA Guns features no original members.

9.Loudness
Hailing from Japan, this international heavy metal group combines power metal with glam metal's nuances, and cheesy, yet powerfully loud songs with a good backdrop of heavy bass and hard drumming. The guitar playing is solid with crunchy riffs and catchy melodies and virtuoso style solos. The singer alternates in and out of high pitch screams and operatic singing with more than one vocalist, creating songs that are memorable and meant to be experienced live.

Formed in 1980, by guitarist Akira Takasaki , and drummer Munetaka Higuchi, the band performed what might be considered early traditional metal in the vein of Van Halen and AC/DC. With a discography that includes 25 albums, the band is not as commercially successful in America as they are in Europe and Asia. Still active, Loudness has undergone many line up changes, and sadly lost original drummer Higuchi from liver cancer in late 2008.

This list is weak. The original "glam" band was "Angel", with Punky
Meadows on lead guitar. They were the polar opposite of Kiss, androgyny
dressed in white bodysuits and feathers. Freddy Mercury totally copied
their look. They were really good. They opened for Aerosmith on their
"Rocks" tour in '75. Those were the most beautiful men I ever saw. And
although I don't like their music, Poison deserves a place on this list
more than GNR. And where is White Lion or Warrant?

GnR is not a Glam Band. Appetite blew the doors off Glam and said F You...we rock hard and we don't wear make up! Appetite for Destruction made glam bands wake up. Just look at Skid Row's follow up to the their debut album.

@Robert Liccardo only problem is... THEY DID WEAR MAKE UP! haha They stopped wearing it but in the beginning they looked like Hanoi Rocks and there was a rivalry between C.C. Deville and Slash over who wore the top hat first.